Shadows Of The Pack (Aria and Knox)

Chapter Thirty Two: Lost in the Woods

Aria lay on the forest floor. The pain throbbed through her limbs, making each movement a struggle. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and she could feel the warm trickle of blood down her leg. Panic and confusion clouded her mind as she tried to piece together what had happened.
As she looked up again, her eyes met those of Lucas. His dark eyes bore into hers, holding a glint of amusement mixed with something darker. Aria couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine.
"Don't look so panicked, Aria is it?," Lucas said, his voice dripping with an unsettling mixture of amusement and authority. "I've been hearing whispers about you. The wolf marked by the moon goddess herself. Although I don't know why she would bestow such powers on the product of my cowardly brother."
Aria tried to push herself up, a mixture of fear and defiance welling up within her. "What are you doing near the Moonlight territory?" she managed to say, her voice strained.
Lucas's smile widened, revealing a flash of sharp teeth. "I think you are a little lost, my dear. We are far from the Moonlight territory now."
Aria's gaze swept across her surroundings, and a sinking feeling settled in her chest. She was in a part of the woods known to be inhabited by lone wolves. The realization sent a wave of alarm through her.
"So tell me dear niece," Lucas continued, his voice laced with intrigue. "What are you doing so deep in the woods? And why are you injured?"
"Just get away from me, Lucas," Aria pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "You and I are not related in any way."
Lucas smiled, "Why would I do that? You are my niece and we are more related than you think."
Aria's brows furrowed in confusion, her mind struggling to comprehend his words. Before she could question him further, a surge of pain shot through her leg, causing her to wince and draw back.
Sensing her distress, Lucas knelt down beside her, his face just inches away from hers. Aria's instincts screamed at her to move away, to escape his proximity, but her weakened state kept her rooted in place.
"What are you doing?" Aria asked, her voice laced with both curiosity and suspicion.
"Don't be stubborn, my dear," Lucas replied, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm only trying to help."
"Why?" Aria couldn't help but ask, her guard still up despite his seemingly benign intentions.
Lucas's smile held a touch of mischief. "Because, my dear Aria, I'm feeling unusually benevolent today. And when I'm done helping you, you are going to do a little something for me in return."
******************
Knox had frantically searched the woods throughout the night. His wolf's senses were heightened, desperately trying to pick up Aria's scent. He paced back and forth, his footsteps leaving imprints on the forest floor as he circled aimlessly, his mind filled with worry and frustration until he eventually gave up and went back to his pack.
Ryder stood patiently outside Knox's room, waiting for his Alpha to get dressed. Concern etched his face as he observed Knox's restless state.

"Did you find her?" Ryder asked, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and trepidation.
Knox turned to face Ryder, his eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and frustration. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he fought to contain his emotions. "Where is Sophia?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Ryder's brow furrowed in confusion. "She's getting ready," he replied hesitantly. "For her mating ceremony with Mark. She already informed her parents."
Knox blinked once, then twice, the weight of the news sinking in. "What?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "Why wasn't I informed? How is she getting mated to Mark of all wolves? I thought she hated him."
A tinge of weariness softened Ryder's expression as he took a step closer to his Alpha. "You were gone, Knox," he explained gently. "She wanted to tell you herself, but time was of the essence. The decision was sudden, and the whole pack was caught off guard. Are you jealous?"
Knox growled at his beta, "Why would I be?"
"You are getting really worked up about it."
Knox sighed, finally giving in to exhaustion, "I can't find Aria and she is not in her right mind. She attacked JB and ran into the woods. My wolf couldn't find her scent. That is why I came back here. It was like she was just gone. I need Sophia. To see if the witches from her former pack have found a more perfect solution."
Knox made an effort to leave but Ryder stopped him, "You look like you haven't slept. You are tired and no matter how much your wolf tries to fight it, he is tired too. You need to rest."
Ryder placed a reassuring hand on his Alpha's shoulder, "I will take some of the sentinels and we will find her. I promise you but you need to rest first."
Knox sighed as his wolf relented. Just then Mark walked past the far end of the hallway.
Knox smiled, "Isn't it the wolf of the hour?"
"Mark." Ryder called out.
Mark bowed his head in respect as soon as he got to them.
Knox cut straight to the chase, "You are getting mated? To Sophia? How did that even happen? Doesn't she hate you?"
Mark kept quiet, not finding the right words.
"You haven't answered my question Mark."
"I don't know Alpha. It just did. I marked her and she said we should form the bond."
Knox stirred at him, studying, "You walked up to her and marked her?"
Mark shifted unsteadily on his feet.
Ryder decided to put him out of his misery, patting the younger wolf on the back, "Relax. Knox is just messing with you."
Mark raised his head to meet his Alpha's face that held a smile.
"I believe this will be the first mating ceremony in the pack?" Knox asked.
Ryder nodded affirmatively.
"Then we better make it one to remember."
*****************
JB slowly stirred, his eyelids fluttering open. A tired smile tugged at the corners of his lips when his gaze fell upon the figure of his mother sitting by the dimly lit corner of the room, her eyes closed. The soft glow from the bedside lamp illuminated her worried expression, casting a gentle halo around her face.
Lillian, her eyes filled with both relief and lingering concern as they opened and reciprocated her son's tired smile. "You're awake," she whispered, her voice laced with a mixture of emotions.
JB mustered his strength and adjusted himself, attempting to rise into a sitting position. Lillian's gentle hand pressed against his chest as she walked up to his bedside, urging him to stay put. "The healers said you should stay in bed for a little while longer," she advised, her voice tinged with a touch of motherly concern.
A flicker of impatience crossed JB's eyes as he tried to comprehend the passage of time. "How long has it been?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of worry.
Lillian's features softened, her eyes reflecting a mixture of love and sadness. "It doesn't matter," she replied, her voice a gentle caress. "All that matters is that you are alive. You gave me quite the scare there. I thought I had lost you."
A pang of guilt tugged at JB's heart as he apologized, his voice filled with remorse. "I'm sorry. Next time, I'll try not to be attacked." His gaze darted around the room, searching for a familiar presence. "Where is Dad?"
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